"But it's really pleasing we found a way to grind the game out and get ourselves in front on the scoreboard when we were well beaten at the clearances."

Sam Mitchell (24 possessions and a goal) and Grant Birchall (23 touches) were the leading ball-winners for Clarkson's side, while defender Josh Gibson held Carlton spearhead Jarrad Waite to only 11 possessions and two goals.

Hodge's numbers (15 possessions, four marks, one goal) might not look spectacular on paper, but he repeatedly dragged his team back into the contest with strong bumps, tackles and courageous marks.

However, his high contact on Blues defender Lachie Henderson during the second term is likely to attract the attention of the Match Review Panel.

Carlton conceded the opening three goals of the game, but Mitch Robinson, who was unhappy to be subbed out during the narrow loss Essendon the previous week, was the catalyst behind its impressive comeback.

Robinson kicked a goal and laid some bone-crunching tackles as the Blues closed to within two points at the first change.

By the mid-point of the second term, Malthouse's men had booted six of the last seven goals, but the loss of Murphy and a shoulder injury suffered by Robinson just before half-time proved costly.